Year In Review 2013- Favorite Live Show of 2013

The live show is a slippery thing.  There are lots of variables at play most having little to do with the performance itself.  Does the venue have enough bathrooms?  Is it going to rain?  What day of the week is it on?  Did I have a shitty day at work before hand?  Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this effects one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason, but when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be then in the moment of magic occurring spontaneously from the stage.

Live Music Has No Equal.   

While we can't see every show that is out there we try our hardest to see as many as we can (and more then most) here at RtBE.  Sure there are a few left, we may catch Phish at the Garden, but for now here is a listing of of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have seen in 2013, and one show at the bottom that took the top prize as this RtBE's 2013 Show of the Year. To continue our Best of 2013 just click that Read More button and get started
Below are some of the best shows we caught this year (and there were a ton) reviews will be linked to in the mini summation if they occurred. Just a word of note, this year's batch is was surprisingly underwhelming compared to last years great set of shows. We went to the same amount, if not more, but when looking back few stood out as AH-HA! moments. These shows were more personally satisfying and less critically acclaimed. Let's do it in chronological order:

The Who 2/22/13 Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, AC, NJ

We didn't do a review of this show, because we could have written a book about it. Deeply personal, the band performed what is our vote of the best rock and roll album of all time (a whole other conversation completely) Quadrophenia down by the sea and sand of a returning post Hurricane Sandy Atlantic City. Friends (including this sites esteemed editor) and I purposely chose to go to AC to see this show, and it was amazing. Very personal for me and hard to summarize. The reason it is not 1st on this list is because there were lots of issues with the crowd, some with the playing and some with AC in general, but overall we won't forget this night.     

The Wolfe Tones 3/14/13 Connolly's NYC

This one kinda blew our mind, having never seen The Wolfe Tones Live we weren't prepared for the marathon set they throw down. It hasn't changed much over the years, but either has the energy as the trio broke out all the St. Pat's classics, rebel songs and even a few deep rock cuts. Again good friends amped this one up from good to great in our book as the company you keep says it all. Our full review is here (Sorry for the shitty Glide old formatting) and the night flowed with Whiskey and Porter but never overshadowed the music from this living treasure of a group.  

Reigning Sound 11/16/13 Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn

Here is another one we didn't get a formal review up for but the main reason is different. We were having way to good of a time to take notes. Brooklyn Beer was flowing, food was being wolfed between sets and shimmying 50's like dancing was going on while Reigning Sound threw down a hell of a set, even better then their 4 Knots set from earlier this year. We just love Greg Cartwright, and the fellas on this night were on. Hell of a show...even better party and some nights that is exactly what is needed as we stayed until the DJ's got sore. Getting to see Lala Brooks hop into the crowd while singing "Do-Run-Run" was amazing, setting the tone for the whole night, peep some great video below:

Jesus that woman was born in 1947!!! Here is some Reigning Sound:


Now our winner...

RtBE's favorite Live Show of 2013:

Bestfest Bob Dylan Tribute 11-12-13 NYC

Like the first show on this list the main reason is personal, hell I guess all of these are personal, but this one hit home. A perfect storm of venue, players, topics, good cause all go into it. Perhaps above an beyond though the person who got me into Dylan in the first place was with me at this show and this will probably be the only concert we ever attend together where we both know all the words to all the songs. That makes it a winner alone. Much Love Kel.

For those who have never been to a Best Fest event, please please go. Full review here and here are some great videos from the event on 11/12/13 at the Bowery Ballroom NYC.